A group of commuters disembarking from one bus scramble to catch another one bound for the CBD. It's a busy mid-morning at Thokoza Park, one of Rea Vaya's busiest stations.

Oblivious to the hurry around her is 64-year-old Gogo Margaret Mdlalose, a retired teacher who strides purposefully but carefully to the other end of the station using a walking stick.

She stops briefly to exchange a few words with one of the bus drivers who are waiting to start their shift before moving further down to await the arrival of her bus.

'It is quite convenient, especially for us elderly people'

Gogo Mdlalose is one of many pensioners living in Soweto who make frequent use of Rea Vaya. She travels with it at least once a week to attend a church service in Chiawaelo, and sometimes more if she wants to shop in the CBD or visit her friends in Mofolo. Today, she is on her way to Braamfontein to make some queries at a housing company.

"It is an excellent service and quite convenient, especially for us elderly people, and even the staff members are good to us," says Mdlalose of her Rea Vaya experience. "I hope the service will remain the same and never change."

Rea Vaya has many features which appeal to elderly commuters. The stations are easy to access, comfortable in cold or rainy weather, and well fitted with hand-rails and non-slip walking surfaces.

Station-level boarding means no climbing up and down steps to get in or out of the bus, multiple doors ease congestion - and there are special seats reserved for pensioners, the disabled and pregnant mothers.

'This service gives me the freedom to be independent'

For her part, Gogo Mdlalose enjoys not having to pay twice when she travels return, especially when travelling and from to church. Rea Vaya's service has become an important extension of her life, she says. She could not imagine going without it.

Bella Mangope (67), another pensioner resident in Soweto, likes the fact that Rea Vaya's buses are "very convenient and comfortable for us old ladies. I am able to stretch my feet freely."

Mangope, who stays in Mapetla, uses the bus at least three times a month to do her shopping in the CBD. "I find the fares to be reasonable," she adds.

Goff Jane Caejar (81) is a frequent Rea Vaya commuter, travelling to his favourite shopping outlet, Maponya Mall, almost every day. "This service gives me the freedom to be independent and to go shopping and visit friends any time," he says.

Pius Mlambo, a former bus driver who use to work for a local bus company, started using Rea Vaya two years ago when failing eyesight meant he could no longer safely drive his car.

"I feel extremely free and comfortable whenever I use the bus," Mlambo said. His only suggestion: that Rea Vaya should offer discounts to pensioners and scholars.

Eunice Mpofu, another pensioner and also a Rea Vaya regular, was happy enough with paying regular fares. Elderly people do not travel as frequently, she said, and usually travel outside of peak hours, which means they benefit from Rea Vaya's 10% discount for off-peak travel.